Chapter Text
Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian have sort of reconciled because too much time had passed already and too many years have gone by where Jiang Cheng was alone with his thoughts that Wei Wuxian will never understand even if Jiang Cheng talks until his tongue falls off.
But they exchange monthly letters, and Wei Wuxian this time wrote of an artefact that he and Lan Wangji brought back to investigate and if Jiang Cheng will be in Cloud Recesses for business maybe he could have a look if interested. So Jiang Cheng makes up some sort of excuse that needs Lan Xichen’s personal attention and heads off to Cloud Recesses, expecting to stay there for a couple days at most.
Things are weird and stilted with Wei Wuxian, but they’re talking and these days Jiang Cheng feels more sad and defeated than anything, including anger, so he ignores Lan Wangji next to Wei Wuxian and ignores it when Wei Wuxian slips into overly familiar speech and he mostly feels tired when Lan Wangji glares so he just rolls his eyes whenever Lan Wangji acts all overprotective. Wei Wuxian feels a little weirded out because Jiang Cheng is acting all out of character but then he realises he no longer knows his brother anymore, so he saves his comments for later to discuss privately with Lan Wangji, though his sharp eyes catch on the lethargy of Jiang Cheng’s movements, as if his spiritual energy’s been depleted, and not even Lan Xichen in seclusion had seemed so...exhausted? Drained?
The artefact itself is an odd thing, with a pendulum that swings on its own, seemingly powered by an energy that doesn’t appear to be malevolent but makes their skin crawl with unease all the same. When it’s dinner time, Wei Wuxian watches Jiang Cheng eat mechanically, not paying attention to the bland food and swallowing with difficulty, as if choking it down. Something seems off but Wei Wuxian doesn’t know what. Does he even know Jiang Cheng’s habits anymore? Who’s to say if this is just the way he eats now? Certainly not Wei Wuxian.
They separate at night and the next morning when Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji head to the study room next to the library that they’ve been using, Jiang Cheng is there already. They look up the unknown sigils and symbols etched on the artefact, poke at various bits to see how it works.
They figure out that the artefact seems to absorb spiritual energy, though for what it’s still not clear. There’s a part that looks like a wheel and Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had touched it a few times and had no reaction but when Jiang Cheng reaches out absently and spins it, the thing starts glowing and a wind starts picking up in the enclosed study and Wei Wuxian finds himself covered by Lan Wangji as Jiang Cheng shouts at them to take cover.
When it’s over, it’s deathly silent and still, until there’s the rustling of cloth and a high-pitched whimper.
“Oh no,” Wei Wuxian mumbles as he scrambles up from the floor. “Oh no oh no oh no oh nO.”
There’s a puddle of purple robes half hidden under a table, and in the middle of it, a tiny child kicks his small feet and rolls around until he figures how to push himself to sit up.
Wei Wuxian’s eyes and mouth are both wide open. “Jiang Cheng?” he whispers.
Jiang Cheng looks over at him blankly, before tears fill his eyes and he squeezes his eyes shut and his face scrunches up and then he opens his mouth and starts screaming.
“No, don’t cry don’t cry,” Wei Wuxian tries to shush the child, picking him up and swaddling him in the adult-sized inner robe.
There are tears soaking Jiang Cheng’s round cheeks, snot sliding out his nose, and his face is turning an alarming shade of red.
But Wei Wuxian is severely out of his depth when it comes to dealing with children, and Jiang Cheng starts coughing because he’s crying too hard and they head over to the healers, rushing through Cloud Recesses, causing a huge commotion.
The healer on duty is a lot more adept with children, and she quickly calms down Jiang Cheng, leaving him playing with a plush doll as she examines his teeth and height and weight and concludes he’s about three years old.
Jiang Cheng can give his name, can respond to the healer’s questions with a nod or shake or a couple words, but there seems to be something wrong with his core.
Cold dread pools in Wei Wuxian’s stomach. “What do you mean there’s something wrong with his core?”
“I’ve never seen something like this before,” the healer says. “I need time to research.”
“We’ll help,” Wei Wuxian says immediately.
The healer eyes them sceptically. “And who will look after Sect Leader Jiang as you do?”
Wei Wuxian is confused. “He can just play in the library can’t he?”
The healer rolls her eyes with a sigh. “Children his age need a lot of care and attention. A library is no place for him, especially when the adults are focusing all their attention on another task. He needs a caretaker.”
They fall into silence as their eyes fall to a quiet Jiang Cheng, who is making conversation with the doll but without any words, only sounds.
“Is...is that normal?” Wei Wuxian asks, and Lan Wangji hums.
“Each child grows at their own pace,” the healer says calmly, though she frowns.
“I don’t suppose you can...” Wei Wuxian looks expectantly at the healer, who dares him to continue with an arch of her brow and pursed lips. “...But of course not, because healers have a ton of work, hahaha...ha.”
He turns to look at Lan Wangji. “Maybe a junior? A-Yuan and Jingyi?”
“Mn.”
“You’re right, they’re only children themselves. And it would disrupt their training.” Wei Wuxian rubs his chin, mumbling to himself. “I don’t wanna leave Jiang Cheng with just anyone, no offence, Lan Zhan, it’s just that we don’t know if something might happen because of his core -”
“Wei Ying.”
Wei Wuxian stops and waits expectantly.
“Xiongzhang.”
Wei Wuxian taps his chin. “You think he will?” He sighs. “Couldn’t hurt to try.”
He approaches the treatment bed where Jiang Cheng is playing. “Hey, Jiang Cheng,” he says softly. “I’m Xian-gege.”
Jiang Cheng stares at him with huge round eyes.
“Do you wanna go somewhere fun with Xian-gege?”
Jiang Cheng shakes his head and Wei Wuxian gives a nervous laugh.
“How about...if you go...Xian-gege will give you a sweet!”
Jiang Cheng sticks his fingers into his mouth, and Wei Wuxian takes it as a good sign.
The healer had dressed Jiang Cheng in spare disciple robes that fit his size, so it’s easier to lift Jiang Cheng into his arms and carry him on his hip.
Up close, Jiang Cheng yanks at Wei Wuxian’s hair ribbon. “Red,” he says.
“Yes,” Wei Wuxian says as they head back out into Cloud Recesses. “Red.”
This time around, Jiang Cheng is alert as they walk the stone paths, pointing out to random things as they pass by. “Tree!”
“Birdie!”
“Flower!”
“Yes, yes, very good,” Wei Wuxian says. “Jiang Cheng is such a smart boy.”
Jiang Cheng doesn’t respond to that, going quiet and still.
“Our A-Cheng is such a smart boy,” Wei Wuxian coos absently, as a group of passing disciples bow at them.
“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji says warningly.
“Hm?” Wei Wuxian follows Lan Wangji’s gaze to where Jiang Cheng is scowling fiercely, face all scrunched and pouting. “A-Cheng, what’s wrong?”
Jiang Cheng’s face scrunches even more before he says loudly, “No!”
“No what?”
“No!” Jiang Cheng shouts, and starts wriggling in Wei Wuxian’s hold, and it’s only because Lan Wangji takes him from Wei Wuxian that he avoids dropping Jiang Cheng altogether.
“Jiang Cheng,” Lan Wangji says in his deep, no-nonsense voice. “Stop.”
Jiang Cheng kicks some more, lower lip wobbling before he bursts into tears again, only this time he’s completely silent, sniffling and shaking and Wei Wuxian tries to take him back from Lan Wangji.
“Oh, A-Cheng, don’t cry, come on, you’re making Xian-gege sad also.” Wei Wuxian wipes Jiang Cheng’s face with his sleeve. “Be good, alright?”
“‘M good,” Jiang Cheng mumbles wetly, allowing himself to be transferred back to Wei Wuxian. “‘M good.”
“Yes you are,” Wei Wuxian says soothingly. “The best boy.”
They walk some more in tense silence.
“You know,” Wei Wuxian says slowly. “I don’t know if Lan da-ge is gonna be up to the task.”
“Mn.”
Both are mindful that Jiang Cheng is listening. They’re just steps from the Hanshi, so a decision needs to be made now.
“And he’s still in seclusion, so we shouldn’t burden him with this just because it’s convenient for us, and I mean - we could take turns, can’t we, Lan Zhan, I mean -” Wei Wuxian sounds increasingly frantic as he speaks, and Lan Wangji is just about to respond when the door to the Hanshi opens.
“Wangji, Wei-gongzi.” Lan Xichen looks impeccable as ever, even in his pure white robes and simple hairstyle. “I believe you’re looking for me?”
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji exchange glances. Well, there was nothing for it, they supposed.
“Please, come in and have some tea.” Lan Xichen waves them in.
As they’re seated, Wei Wuxian keeps Jiang Cheng in his lap, just because he’s not sure if Jiang Cheng should be given free reign in a room with so many delicate objects.
Lan Xichen leans down so he’s eye level with Jiang Cheng. “And who is this young master? Hello. I am Lan Xichen.”
Jiang Cheng stares at him with wide eyes.
“Ah...” Wei Wuxian laughs nervously, smoothing a hand over Jiang Cheng’s baby soft hair. “This is...”
“Hello, Master Lan, I am Jiang Cheng,” he says clearly, which startles Wei Wuxian because Jiang Cheng hadn’t even responded so well to the healer, but someone had clearly drilled basic manners into the boy.
“And what auspicious event has Young Master Jiang visiting us today?”
Wei Wuxian gives another nervous laugh. “Well, you see...” He goes through a quick explanation of what happened, but gives greater detail about Jiang Cheng’s behaviour.
“We were initially hoping you could help keep an eye on Jiang Cheng, but now I think it might be a good idea to keep him close, you know, just in case.”
“I see.” Lan Xichen is quiet as he takes a sip of tea. “Wangji?”
It takes a moment for Lan Wangji to speak. “A child is difficult to care for and requires patience. Wei Ying is more needed for research to restore Jiang Wanyin. If Xiongzhang is willing, then Wangji humbly requests his assistance.”
Wei Wuxian knows his impatience and quick mind is better suited for research than for child rearing but this is Jiang Cheng. It would be fine if Jiang Cheng could at least fend for himself, but he’s so young and so small and if anything happened to Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian wouldn’t forgive himself.
“Lan da-ge, you’re only just starting to accept visitors, it’ll be tiring for you to look after Jiang Cheng all day.”
Lan Xichen nods as he sips his tea some more. “How about we just try it out for the rest of today? There’s only a few hours until dinner, and you can come back then.”
Wei Wuxian holds Jiang Cheng tighter, but after sharing a look with Lan Wangji, he nods. “Alright.”
Lan Xichen leans over to look at Jiang Cheng again. “Young Master Jiang, looks like we’ll be playing here for a little while. What do you think?”
Jiang Cheng is unresponsive other than a blank stare.
Wei Wuxian shifts him in his lap. “A-Cheng, if you want to stay with Xian-gege, you just need to say.” He bounces Jiang Cheng lightly. “Xian-gege can stay with you for as long as you want.”
Jiang Cheng looks at him, still silent.
“What do you want?” Wei Wuxian asks again.
Jiang Cheng still has no response.
It’s Lan Wangji that leans over now. “Jiang Cheng,” he says. “Choose.”
Tears fill Jiang Cheng’s eyes again, and his lower lip wobbles as he shakes his head.
“Do you like Xichen-gege more?” Wei Wuxian asks. “It’s absolutely okay if you like Xichen-gege more than Xian-gege.”
Jiang Cheng looks at him for a moment before he starts crying (again, oh god), and Lan Xichen lifts him out of Wei Wuxian’s lap and holds him close, rocking him gently.
“I think he’s a little overwhelmed,” Lan Xichen says, calm as ever. “Why don’t you two get started on the research while we take a rest here. It’s been a lot of excitement in a very short time.”
Seeing Lan Xichen handle a sniffling, teary Jiang Cheng so adeptly burns in Wei Wuxian’s chest, but he nods.
“Alright,” he says, getting to his feet. “Come on, Lan Zhan, let’s get to work.”
Lan Xichen stands also, Jiang Cheng still in his hold, and goes to see off Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, waving when Wei Wuxian looks back worriedly a few times. But then the pair of them are out of view, and it’s just him and Jiang Cheng.
“It’s alright now,” he says quietly to Jiang Cheng, who has leaked tears and snot into his shoulder, robes now damp. “Let’s clean you up, and we’ll get you something to drink.”
Jiang Cheng sniffles, face splotchy when Lan Xichen wipes at his nose gently. “Sweets,” he says, when Lan Xichen sets aside the hanky.
“Sweets?”
Jiang Cheng nods “Red-gege said sweets.”
“I see,” Lan Xichen says seriously. “Well you’re in luck, because I just happen to have a box here, and because you’ve been such a good boy, I’ll let you have two.”
Jiang Cheng brightens. “I’m good,” he says proudly.
“Yes, very good,” Lan Xichen says, smiling warmly as he retrieves the small box from its shelf. He lines up the two small candies on the table in front of Jiang Cheng. “Here you go.”
Jiang Cheng eyes them seriously, before somehow coming to a decision and picking one to place in his mouth. “Yummy.”
“Yes,” Lan Xichen agrees, and looks around his room. Now - what to do for the rest of the day?
Lan Xichen ends up digging out an old picture book and reading stories to Jiang Cheng, who starts flagging after the first and is completely asleep by the second. Poor child, Lan Xichen thinks, as he moves to childproof his rooms, keeping an ear out for Jiang Cheng, who’s tucked away in Lan Xichen’s own bed.
He must be so confused and scared, but it’s good that he doesn’t seem alarmed at the sudden new environment he’s in, nor does he appear to miss his family too much. Lan Xichen himself feels tired also, but it wouldn’t do for him to take a nap as well.
Lan Xichen is moving a vase to a higher shelf when he hears noise from his bedroom. “Jiang Cheng? Is that you?”
When he’s about to sit, he hears a crash, and his heart almost beats out of his chest as he rounds the privacy screen and sees Jiang Cheng crouching next to a broken teapot.
“Don’t touch it!” Lan Xichen shouts, and Jiang Cheng pauses with one hand outstretched. He looks up at Lan Xichen with huge dark eyes as Lan Xichen runs over and snatches him up into his arms, inspecting Jiang Cheng’s tiny hands one at a time. “Are you hurt?” he asks, breathless from worry. Jiang Cheng shakes his head. “What were you trying to do?”
Jiang Cheng lowers his head. “Thirsty,” he says.
Lan Xichen sighs. “Of course, I should’ve - next time you’re thirsty or hungry you need to tell me, alright? No touching unless you ask first.”
Jiang Cheng nods, and Lan Xichen carries him back out to the sitting room, where he carefully holds a porcelain cup of water to Jiang Cheng’s lips, not letting go of him the entire time. When he’s done, Jiang Cheng turns in Lan Xichen’s hold and flops against him, hiding his face in Lan Xichen’s chest.
“‘M sorry,” he mumbles tearily. “Jiang Cheng bad boy.”
“No, not bad,” Lan Xichen says, rubbing Jiang Cheng’s back soothingly. “Jiang Cheng is still a good boy, you just need to be careful and tell gege if you want anything.
Jiang Cheng smears a line of snot onto Lan Xichen’s robes before he tilts his head up and bats doe eyes at him. “Sorry gege.”
Lan Xichen is hopelessly charmed, snot and all.
They spend the rest of the afternoon puttering around the Hanshi’s private garden (after Lan Xichen cleaned the mess in his bedroom), with Jiang Cheng chasing butterflies and poking at the grass, screaming with happy laughter as Lan Xichen swings him into the air.
“It’s almost dinner time,” Lan Xichen says a while later. “Xian-gege and Wangji-gege will be back soon.”
Jiang Cheng goes very quiet, but Lan Xichen doesn’t notice as he’s intent on combing Jiang Cheng’s messy hair.
Lan Xichen gives up eventually on tying braids and pulls up Jiang Cheng’s hair into a tiny ponytail. He’s fixing the ribbon when he hears Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji outside the Hanshi, and he carries Jiang Cheng with him as he goes to invite them in.
“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian is relieved to see Jiang Cheng again. “Did you have fun with Xichen-gege today?”
Jiang Cheng doesn’t respond, staring at Wei Wuxian, who reaches over to pet his head.
“We had story time and a nap, and some fun in the garden,” Lan Xichen answers.
“So you think you’ll be okay with taking care of him during the day?” Wei Wuxian asks as Lan Xichen hefts Jiang Cheng into his waiting arms.
“It would be my pleasure.”
Jiang Cheng gives Lan Xichen an alarmed look as he’s handed over before crying out, reaching back towards Lan Xichen who catches his hand.
“It’s okay, Jiang Cheng. Gege will see you tomorrow, alright?” Lan Xichen strokes his thumb over Jiang Cheng’s chubby cheek. “Be good for your Xian-gege now.”
“I’m good,” Jiang Cheng mumbles quietly.
Wei Wuxian bounces Jiang Cheng lightly. “Aiyo, our A-Cheng is always a good boy.”
The adults exchange a few words about the research they’ve done so far - nothing of any use has been found, and there are too many initial leads to follow.
The first problem is the artefact. What is it, and what is it supposed to do? Did Jiang Cheng transform because of the artefact or did it also have to do with Jiang Cheng’s own physiology, not in the least because the core in him wasn’t his. The healer still isn’t sure what exactly is wrong with Jiang Cheng’s core, and all these questions piled on top of each other meant they didn’t even have a working theory yet.
“Lotus Pier will have to be informed of Sect Leader Jiang’s absence,” Lan Xichen reminds them.
Wei Wuxian groans. “I almost forgot. Thanks, Lan da-ge. Anyway, it’s time for dinner. We’ll stop by tomorrow after breakfast.”
Jiang Cheng watches Lan Xichen from over Wei Wuxian’s shoulder as they head off, and Lan Xichen smiles and waves until they’re out of sight.
Sighing, he turns back to look into the Hanshi. A servant will be by soon with his dinner, but Lan Xichen isn’t hungry. He will eat it so as not to waste it, but he already knows it will taste like ash in his mouth.
Lan Xichen sits at his empty table, folds his hands, and waits.
——
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji decide to take dinner in the Jingshi. The less people knowing about Jiang Cheng’s...condition, the better. Even in a place as safe as Cloud Recesses, Wei Wuxian would prefer not to have any rumours spreading about Jiang Cheng.
(He knows for a fact that none of the old or current gossip about Jiang Cheng are flattering or even true, and he doesn’t want to add to it because none of this is Jiang Cheng’s fault but he just knows people will find a way to twist it and blame Sandu Shengshou and make a mockery of him - again.)
Jiang Cheng can handle chopsticks well enough to paddle rice into his mouth, but he still has trouble grasping pieces of food, so Wei Wuxian places them into his bowl for him. Wei Wuxian smiles fondly as Jiang Cheng attacks his food with gusto, wiping fondly at Jiang Cheng’s mouth even though he’s ignored as Jiang Cheng eats.
Afterwards Wei Wuxian draws a bath for Jiang Cheng, and when he’s taking off Jiang Cheng’s little disciple robes he stutters to a stop as he sees the scars across Jiang Cheng’s chest. “Lan Zhan!” he calls urgently. “Lan Zhan!”
Lan Wangji hurries over to the bath, and pauses when he sees Jiang Cheng naked by the tub, attention focused on a wooden rabbit that Wei Wuxian had nicked from Lan Wangji’s study. “Wei Ying?”
“Look,” Wei Wuxian says, turning Jiang Cheng slightly. “His scars.”
Lan Wangji could only frown. “These are...”
“When the Wens tortured him.” Wei Wuxian frowned, leaning close to inspect the red, raised scar from the discipline whip. “The healer didn’t notice anything earlier.” Wei Wuxian hummed. “Though to be fair Jiang Cheng had just kicked her in the face when she was changing him, so.”
“This is important,” Lan Wangji says. Because this means Jiang Cheng was reverted, but not to his original three year-old form.
Jiang Cheng starts shivering but Wei Wuxian is distracted by the scars, so Lan Wangji lifts him into the tub. Jiang Cheng splashes in the water, making happy sounds as Wei Wuxian bathes him.
Lan Wangji stands off to the side, not quite knowing how to reconcile the adult Jiang Cheng with this tiny child. He knows Wei Wuxian is worried about Jiang Cheng’s lack of words and tendency to use sounds instead, and the way he seemed to get upset so easily without any obvious trigger.
Lan Wangji remembers people had been worried about him as a child also, because he had been so quiet. But Jiang Cheng isn’t quiet, he’s just unresponsive or doesn’t use words, and his temper seems just as bad and unreasonable as always.
He watches Jiang Cheng giggle as Wei Wuxian tickles him when he towels him off, sees the sadness on his husband’s face as he takes in Jiang Cheng’s happy smile, and he sighs, sweeping in with clean robes for Jiang Cheng. “Let me,” he says, and his ears burn a little at the loving look that Wei Wuxian gives him in return.
This Jiang Cheng bears no grudge against Lan Wangji, but he stares at him apprehensively as Lan Wangji dresses him, tiny fingers white knuckled as they grip the wooden rabbit. He’s shaking as Lan Wangji knots the ties, and Lan Wangji frowns. “Cold?” he asks.
Jiang Cheng doesn’t respond, and Lan Wangji presses his lips together. Even as a child, Jiang Cheng is unbearably rude. He finishes dressing Jiang Cheng and hands him off to Wei Wuxian, who takes him delightedly.
“Who’s ready for a bedtime story?” he says gleefully.
Jiang Cheng waves the rabbit, but doesn’t reply.